<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1999 <CASH> 4,134 <SECURITIES> 53,056<F1> <RECEIVABLES> 484,902 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 1,596,695 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,520,161 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 473,802<F2> <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 47,913 <OTHER-SE> 606,134 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,520,161 <SALES> 1,529,732 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,556,413 <CGS> 1,248,519 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,256,085<F3> <OTHER-EXPENSES> 209,700<F4> <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 13,026 <INCOME-PRETAX> 68,861 <INCOME-TAX> 24,100 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 44,761 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 44,761 <EPS-BASIC> 0.97 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.94 <FN> <F1>Marketable securities are comprised of first mortgages and mortgage-backed securities which are held for long-term investment. The mortgage-backed securities serve as collateral for related collateralized mortgage obligations. <F2>Bonds are comprised of senior and senior subordinated notes and collateralized mortgage obligations. <F3>Total Costs include interest expense on the collateralized mortgage obligations, as the associated interest income generated from the mortgage-backed securities is included in Total Revenues. <F4>Other Expenses are comprised of selling, general and administrative expenses. </FN>